As well as record-breaking attendance, we had record numbers of questions for our folding expert. Trish was kind enough to answer offline the queries we did not have time for during the Webinar Q & A. They are presented below.

Q: Which should come first: the design concept or the choice of fold?
TW: The choice of fold should come first, but based upon the content you have to work with. Each folding style presents a different user experience, and your content should complement that folding style.  If you design first, you can lose sight of that experience and try to create a fold that works with your design. That’s when things go wrong from both an aesthetic and a technical perspective.

Q: Do you have any experience with wet scoring?
TW: I don’t have experience with wet scoring personally; however, my friends at Bindagraphics provide this explanation: On some jobs, the paper might undergo wet scoring to make it more pliable. Applied by hydraliners on a paper-folding machine, wet scoring is used mainly on uncoated stocks. A hypodermic needle feeds a mixture of 35 percent isopropyl alcohol and 65 percent water along the area of the paper that will be folded, softening the fibers sufficiently to make folding less torturous to the stock. This method is not recommended for use on coated stocks, since the water tends to bead up on the coating rather than penetrate into the fibers. Bleach can be added to the mixture to help it bite through the coating, but this weakens the coating and causes inks to change color.

Q: Do you suggest folding with the ridge of a score or against? I’ve seen opinions both ways, but experience seems to provide better results for against?
TW: In my experience and research, definitely against (scoring bulge facing inward).

Q: Does the snake fold require hand finishing?
TW: Yes, it does. However, I’ve been told that just about any folding style, in very large quantities, can be automated. For example, I have a folding sample of a direct mail piece for CDW that has a variation of a snake fold on it, and I’m certain it was produced in hundreds of thousands, and I’m certain it was automated. Here’s a link to the video – first on the list Letter with Snake Fold Direct Mail Piece.

Q: Do you suggest that designers make folding dummies on the actual stock in order to know compensation?
TW: In my opinion, the folding dummy on actual stock has more to do with the feel and weight – basically, can that sheet carry that folding style, and will it look and feel the way you want it to (or will it tip the scales at the post office?)? The compensation amount is pretty standard, and unless you’re really using a heavy sheet, it should be generous enough to accommodate the difference between, say, a 70 lb. and 80 lb. stock.

Q: Trish, do you have any plans for a ’sample fold’ pack? Maybe just blank white cardstock with sample folds that can be shown to clients?
TW: We actually entertained that idea at one point; however, there is a lot of expense involved in producing, marketing and distributing it. That’s actually why we got into video. I felt there could be a lot of value in providing “idea” videos of real printed pieces. Currently, we have over 140 videos posted, and you can e-mail them to vendors and clients and colleagues.

Q: How do you rank manufacturer folding equipment, e.g. Stahl, MBO, etc. for the best folding equipment?
TW: I actually just wrote a feature article for Graphic Arts Monthly magazine reviewing folding machines from all of the major manufacturers. I found that they are all quality machines; however, your unique workflow and requirements will really drive which make and model is best for you.

Q: When is cracking at the fold the paper’s fault, a design flaw or the bindery’s fault?  How do you know?
TW: Personally, I’ve known situations where people have tried to cut corners and gone against their printer’s recommendation to score and had a bad result. If you’re not at least warned of the potential for cracking (due to the weight of the sheet, heavy coverage at the folds or folds against the grain), or if you inquire about cracking and you’re told not to worry about it and your project comes back with cracking, then you should have a discussion with your printer regarding your dissatisfaction with a poor quality product.

Q: Can you provide contact info for the printers mentioned?
TW: Absolutely. They are:
Pop-out Accordion, Iron Cross with Die, Roll with Nested Accordion: Whitmore Group

Day/night piece: Standard Finishing Systems (manufacturer)

Snake Fold: ITP, Elizabethtown, PA

Twist Fold, Triangle Fold: Specialties Graphic Finishers , Toronto, Canada

Here are two other great options for specialty work:
Bindagraphics and Rickard Bindery

Q: Are there recommendations on machines or ways to bring folding in-house to in-plants? How about the smaller automated folding machines from Duplo or maybe Morgana?
TW: There are some outstanding solutions out there for inline finishing for in-plants right now. A trend of the manufacturers is to create machines that can work inline and offline. There’s a link above for the article I wrote recently, and it will give you a good overview. I also put together a page on foldfactory that has downloadable information about all of the technologies mentioned (and then some).

Q: How much extra production time for average folds? Gate and/or accordion?
TW: Depends. If your printer has a gate attachment to make the last fold on a gate automatically, then it’s not that bad. If they have to make the final fold by hand, it could take some time. Accordions are pretty standard, and unless you have more than six panels for the accordion, you’re likely in pretty standard makeready and production.

We also got a few great tips from printers who chimed in during the Webinar.

Regarding the question about whether to build a file to trim size or to float it on a page with crop marks: “Never float a design, most prepress departments use an imposition program.”

Regarding fold quality from a mechanical perspective: “Great folds will not occur on equipment that has not been maintained. It should be a strong message for all trade folks.”

On the weight of paper for the fold: “Keep in mind that large quantities that might be printed on the web (and automated folding or scoring) usually can’t go over 100 lb. text or 80 lb. cover.”

On scoring guidelines: General rule of thumb is the score should be 2.5 times the caliper.

If you missed Beyond the Tri-fold Webinar or would like to listen again, please go to PaperSpecs to view the recording.

She covered the relationship between folding and paper, the eight folding families you should know, tips on folding compensation, key folding lingo and LOTS of creative folding inspiration.

Her passion and know-how translated into practical file prep advice and provided a blast of creative fresh air. In fact, many of you newly initiated folding-fanatics have already sent high praise for the session. A special thanks to Neenah Paper www.neenahpaper.com for sponsoring this event.

So get rolling … the creative flood gates have been opened! If you missed the Webinar, or would like to see it again, go to Beyond the Tri-fold.

View Webinar Recording

Don’t forget … this Webinar is tomorrow! Guest speaker Trish Witkowski, founder of foldfactory.com and creator of the FOLDRite system, will share her passion for folding and her knowledge of the techniques to show you how to maximize your potential for creating eye-catching design.

This self-proclaimed “folding fanatic” will cover:
- Folding and Paper (A match made in heaven or hell – it’s up to you.)
- Folding Relations (The eight families you need to know!)
- Folding Compensation (It’s not money, but it can cost you.)
- Folding Inspiration (You won’t believe your eyes!)
- Folding Lingo  (Speak “fold” with the best of them.)

Register today. “Beyond the Tri-fold” is FREE thanks to the generous support of NEENAH PAPER.

If you’ve been “rolling” along with that tried-and-true tri-fold, but long for something with more flare and excitement, PaperSpecs’ next free Webinar, “Beyond the Tri-fold,” will open the creative flood “gates.”

Guest speaker Trish Witkowski, founder of foldfactory.com and creator of the FOLDRite system, will share her passion for folding and her knowledge of the techniques to show you how to maximize your potential for creating eye-catching design.

This self-proclaimed “folding fanatic” will cover:
- Folding and Paper (A match made in heaven or hell – it’s up to you.)
- Folding Relations (The eight families you need to know!)
- Folding Compensation (It’s not money, but if you do it wrong, it’ll cost you.)
- Folding Inspiration (You won’t believe your eyes!)
- Folding Lingo  (Speak “fold” with the best of them.)

Register today. “Beyond the Tri-fold” is FREE thanks to the generous support of NEENAH PAPER.

PaperSpecs and Neenah Paper want to free you from your folding rut.

Palo Alto, California – September 1, 2009 – If you’ve been “rolling” along with that tried-and-true tri-fold, but long for something with more flare and excitement, “Beyond the Tri-fold” Webinar will open the creative flood “gates.”

Our guest speaker, Trish Witkowski, is founder of foldfactory.com and creator of the FOLDRite system, a 2004 GATF InterTech Technology Award winner. Her passion for folding is only exceeded by her knowledge of the techniques and their potential for creating eye-catching design.

“Folding is one of the most critical steps in the print production process, but it almost never gets the kind of attention it deserves. As a matter of fact, proper planning for folded materials can dramatically improve your finished product—you just need to know what to do to guarantee success!” says Witkowski.

This self-proclaimed “folding fanatic” will cover:

Foldi-ng and Paper (A match made in heaven or hell – it’s up to you.)
- Folding Relations (The eight families you need to know!)
- Folding Compensation (It’s not money, but if you do it wrong, it’ll cost you.)
- Folding Inspiration (You won’t believe your eyes!)
- Folding Lingo  (Speak “fold” with the best of them.)

“The last step in the printing process should actually be the first one designers think about, not only in terms of production, but on the creative side too,” said Sabine Lenz, founder of PaperSpecs.com.

“There’s tangible value in knowing as much as you can about folds. Properly preparing files for folded pieces can save you costly fixes. Plus, using a new folding style can breathe fresh life into brochures, flyers and pamphlets.”

So if you’re frustrated with not getting answers about how to set up your files for folding or don’t know what fold choices you may be missing, “Beyond the Tri-fold” is the perfect way to broaden your folding horizons and maximize the “afFOLDable” possibilities.

This Webinar is free thanks to the generous support of NEENAH PAPER. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today at www.paperspecs.com/webinar.

About Trish Witkowski
Trish Witkowski is Chief Folding Fanatic at the online community foldfactory.com. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and a Master of Science degree in Graphic Arts Publishing from Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Printing Management and Sciences (now the School of Print Media). An award-winning designer, she held the position of creative director for Baltimore-based agency BMWW for six years, and has taught design and desktop publishing at the college level. Trish has a specialized expertise in the area of folding and is the creator of the FOLDRite system, a 2004 GATF InterTech Technology Award winner. She serves as finishing editor for Graphic Arts Monthly magazine and has written three books on the topic of folding: “A Field Guide to Folding,” “Folding for the Graphic Arts: A Teacher’s Handbook” and “FOLD: The Professional’s Guide to Folding.” Contact Trish at trish@foldfactory.com.

About Neenah Paper
For over 100 years, Neenah Paper has been an innovative leader in the creation and manufacturing of premium and specialty papers. Neenah brings state-of-the-art technology to its signature brands, CLASSIC, ENVIRONMENT, STARWHITE, NEENAH and ESSE, as well as a host of other fine paper products preferred by graphic designers and printers. Neenah’s award-winning and versatile digital papers round out its comprehensive portfolio. Neenah’s sustainability commitment is reflected through the Neenah Green initiative, which includes mill-based solutions for minimizing environmental impact. A proud consumer of Green Energy, Neenah Paper is also a U.S. EPA Green Power Partner, and manufactures many brands carrying the Green-e, Green Seal and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications (SW-COC-000885). Just last month, Neenah announced their U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, ensuring environmentally responsible delivery of their papers. For more information, visit www.neenahpaper.com or call (800) 558-5061.

About PaperSpecs
Paper professionals worldwide struggle to stay current with paper trends and changes to paper lines. This inspired founder Sabine Lenz to create PaperSpecs, the first independent and comprehensive Web-based paper database. Featuring more than 4,300 papers from over 70 mills, PaperSpecs helps designers and print buyers to make the perfect choice for their print projects in less than three minutes. Members also have access to the latest swatchbooks and mill promotions, as well as hands-on printing and paper tips. To become a member or get a free tour of the database, go to www.paperspecs.com. PaperSpecs also distributes a free weekly e-newsletter that shares valuable insight on specifying paper and print buying issues. PaperSpecs is THE online source for paper information. Current. Comprehensive. Convenient.

###

Copyright 2009. All brand names are the property of their respective owners and may or may not be trademarked.

Contacts

Sabine Lenz
PaperSpecs
127A Coleridge Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
T: 650-321-5152

Recessions sure are a downer, aren’t they? Everyone is cutting back on spending, hiring, bonuses, company picnics and travel. There must be something fun you can do on your newly slashed marketing budget, right?

To start, please set the tri-fold down and slowly walk away from it. There are other choices to consider – and these choices will give you a lot of bang for your buck.

One of my favorite tricks is trimming. The great thing about trimming is that you get the effect of a diecut, without the cost. It’s amazing what a simple short trim on a cover can do to make a brochure more exciting. If you’re dead-set on a tri-fold, try trimming the cover short by an inch or so for a graphic reveal. It looks really nice if you do this for a brochure series and change the colors along the right side.

Another fun thing to do is to angle trim the corner for a sneak peek at the contents underneath. This works nicely for broadside folds that open out to larger poster formats. You can angle trim the corner and reveal a little of the interior poster spread, creating a graphic “violator.” Again, this is just a simple angled cut on the guillotine cutter – very budget-friendly.

Still along the lines of trimming tricks, short folds are another eye-catching solution. Short folds are broadside folds that do not meet at a flush edge. They’re shortened by whatever length you want, and you get a nice “banner” effect along the bottom of the piece.

Usually, short folds are designed to lift up, but a fun trick is to design the short fold to pull down instead. Take it a step further and turn the short fold into a “pocket” to hold a sell sheet or smaller brochure.

The “pocket” technique creates a nice little package without the extra cost of a die or glue. One note of caution: this concept gives the effect of a pocket, without the security of a real, glued pocket folder. It’s great for light marketing pieces, but if you really need the strength and durability of a folder, you should get a folder.

The key to getting attention is to do something unexpected. Asymmetry is a fun way to get a viewer’s interest. I have a really cool sample of a double-parallel fold that is folded in such a way that it creates a stepped effect along one side. The manner in which it was folded (two parallel folds) doesn’t change, just the size of the sheet and placement of the folds. What is most exciting about this idea is that “stepped” folding styles are normally very expensive specialty folds, but this folding trick achieves the look of a stepped folding style without the price tag.

Speaking of specialty folds, I have a very interesting solution for a “mock” iron cross fold. Iron cross folds are those awesome folds you see where you fold it out in all directions and it makes the shape of a cross or plus sign. These are notoriously very expensive because they require a die and score and handwork, and they waste a lot of paper due to their inability to nest together on a press sheet. However, if you don’t mind doing your own hand assembly, I have a solution for a “mock” iron cross fold that might be right up your alley.

This is kind of difficult to explain, but follow me closely on this. If you create two letter folds (tri-folds) and place them one on top of the other and perpendicular to each other, you can fold them into an iron cross fold.

If you plan to do this, know that the one on the bottom will have to be slightly larger than the one on top so that the one on the bottom can wrap around the one on top, so work closely with your printer for the proper file setup. It will also likely need a wafer seal to keep it all together.

Since we’re talking about cheap solutions, you’ll be doing your own hand assembly, so get some food and friends and have a folding party (but keep the food far away from the folding!).

My final tip for everyone is actually not a folding style, it’s a format suggestion. A lot of us are designing for direct mail, and the easiest way to blow your budget is to make a costly mistake with the U.S. Postal Service. Stay within the letter size format of 11-1/2” wide by 6-1/8” high at a maximum, and a minimum of 5” wide by 3-1/2” high AT ALL COSTS.

Forget how much cooler the design would look if it were just an inch taller or wider. Be aware of the required aspect ratio for machinability to maximize your savings. Also, make sure that your address is always parallel to the long dimension of the piece, not the short dimension. Aesthetics must be secondary here – if your piece is letter sized, but the address is placed parallel to the short dimension, they have to rotate the piece so that the address can be read by the automated equipment. The rotation means the piece no longer qualifies as letter format mail, and the price difference is substantial. Visit www.usps.com for downloadable guidelines or contact your local USPS Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) for help.

I hope these cheap and chic ideas have inspired you to try some new things!

——

Join Trish Witkowski at the next PaperSpecs Webinar “Beyond the Tri-fold” on September 24. It’s free thanks to the generous support of Neenah Paper. Click here for more details and registration info.
——

Trish Witkowski is Chief Folding Fanatic at the online folding community foldfactory.com. You can contact Trish at trish@foldfactory.com.

Copyright 2009 PaperSpecs. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced or stored by any means for any purpose without express written consent of the copyright holder.

Please post a Comment to this Tip – and let others benefit from your wisdom. Thanks